Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (SDVBE)
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification provides powerful advantages in federal contracting, especially with the VA. With the federal government's 3% SDVOSB contracting goal and the VA's Veterans First program, this certification can open significant doors for veteran entrepreneurs who have a service-connected disability.
- Issuing body
- VA (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Cost
- Free (Federal)
- Processing
- 30-90 days
- Recognition
- National
Who qualifies for SDVBE?
To qualify for SDVOSB certification:
Veteran Status:
- Must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force)
- Must have been honorably discharged
Service-Connected Disability:
- Must have a disability rating from the VA
- Any disability percentage qualifies (1% to 100%)
- The disability must be service-connected
Ownership Requirements:
- 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans
- In the case of publicly traded businesses, 51% of stock owned by service-disabled veterans
Control Requirements:
- Service-disabled veteran(s) must control management and daily operations
- Must hold the highest officer position
- Must make long-term decisions for the business
- Must control the business full-time
How to apply for SDVBE
Step 1: Register in SAM.gov All federal contractors must be registered in SAM.gov.
Step 2: Gather VA Documentation Obtain your disability rating letter and DD-214.
Step 3: Apply Through VetCert Apply at veterans.certify.sba.gov (SBA now handles SDVOSB certification).
Step 4: Complete Application Provide all required information about your veteran status and business.
Step 5: Upload Documents Submit all required documentation through the portal.
Step 6: SBA Review SBA reviews your application and may request additional information.
Step 7: Certification Decision Decisions are typically made within 90 days.
What you'll need to apply
Veteran Documentation:
- DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge)
- VA disability rating letter showing service-connected disability
- Military service records if DD-214 is unavailable
Business Ownership:
- Articles of incorporation or organization
- Operating agreement or bylaws
- Stock certificates or membership documents
- Meeting minutes showing veteran control
Business Operations:
- Business licenses
- Lease agreements
- Bank statements and signature cards
- Capability statement
- Business tax returns
- Financial statements
What SDVBE unlocks
Federal Contracting:
- 3% federal government-wide SDVOSB contracting goal
- Sole-source contracts up to $5 million for manufacturing, $3 million for services
- Set-aside contracts where only SDVOSBs compete
VA Veterans First Program:
- Priority contracting with VA (VA must consider SDVOSBs first)
- Significant VA procurement budget ($5+ billion annually to SDVOSBs)
- VA actively seeks to exceed goals
SBA Programs:
- Access to SBA loans and programs
- Surety bond assistance
- Mentor-protégé program eligibility
Recognition:
- Official federal certification
- Listed in federal contractor databases
- Credibility with federal contracting officers
Where applicants get tripped up
Documentation:
- Ensure your VA disability rating letter is current
- DD-214 must show honorable discharge
- If disability is not yet rated, apply to VA first
Ownership & Control:
- Service-disabled veteran must truly control the business
- Cannot be "fronting" for a non-veteran-owned business
- Day-to-day involvement is scrutinized
Common Issues:
- Spouses managing while veteran has other employment
- Complex ownership structures that obscure control
- Joint ventures where veteran lacks true control
VA Contracting:
- Build relationships with VA contracting officers
- Attend VA industry days
- Register in VetBiz (VA's verification database - separate from SBA certification)
- Focus on areas where VA buys
Keeping your SDVBE certification active
SDVOSB certification requires periodic renewal:
- Certification is valid for 3 years
- Annual affirmation of continued eligibility required
- Must report any changes in ownership or control
- Must maintain SAM.gov registration
- Re-verify before expiration to maintain status
Companies that accept SDVBE
44 corporate programs accept SDVBE. First 12 below.
- Amazon f100
- Apple Inc. f100
- AT&T Inc. f100
- Boeing f500
- General Motors f100
- Johnson & Johnson f100
- JPMorgan Chase f100
- Lockheed Martin f500
- McKesson f500
- Microsoft Corporation f100
- Walmart Inc. f100
- AECOM f500
Questions applicants ask about SDVBE
What disability percentage do I need?
Any service-connected disability qualifies, even 0% if service-connected.
I'm still waiting for my VA rating. Can I apply?
You need your disability rating before you can apply for SDVOSB certification.
What's the difference between SDVOSB and VOSB?
SDVOSB requires a service-connected disability. VOSB only requires veteran status.
Is certification free?
Yes, SDVOSB certification through SBA is free.
How does this help with VA contracts specifically?
VA has a "Veterans First" policy giving priority to verified SDVOSBs and VOSBs.
I'm 100% disabled. Do I need to work in the business full-time?
You must control the business, but accommodations are made for disability.
Pursuing SDVBE?
The quiz checks your business against every federal, national, and state certification we track and orders the matches by which corporate or government buyers accept each one. Most owners qualify for two or three. If SDVBE is one of yours, the application link goes directly to VA (Department of Veterans Affairs).